Fundamental study on fiber laser-MIG arc hybrid weldability of TI-6A1-4V titanium alloy

Abstract

Ti-6A1-4V alloy plates with thickness of 5 and 12 mm were respectively welded using hybrid welding process of 10 kW class fiber laser and pulsed metal inert gas (MIG) arc, and their hybrid weldability was investigated in the present study. For the plate with thickness of 5 mm, sound welded joints can be acquired by single-pass welding, and the joint strength is the same as that of base metal. For the plate with thickness of 12 mm, welded joints with good bead appearance can be obtained by single pass welding from both sides, and the joint strength is almost the same as that of base metal. The hardness of both weld metal and heat affected zone of these welded joints is higher than that of base metal because of the formation of martensite. © 2013 The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials.